Hmm, I guess this depends.. would you be willing to translate if you were paid more for it? Maybe there's some opportunity there to have a positive conversation with HR and/or your leader.
I would go into a conversation prepared with a few items
1- At least a rough estimate of the amount of requests you receive and how many hours a week or month you probably spend translating.
2- How it impacts your other duties.
3- The expectations you were given when hired around using your Spanish-speaking fluency to support the team.
If you are willing to continue doing this:
3- How it positively impacts the team/the value it adds
If you just don't want to do it anymore, frame it around how it impacts your other work. Tell them you like the work you were hired for and want to be able to give all of your focus and energy to that so you don't feel like you could be doing more if you weren't pulled away so often. Recognize that it helps the team, but that it also takes away by impacting your work.
If you would be willing to continue doing so if it actually resulted in a raise, point to whether it was set as part of the job description/expectations and how this additional skill impacts your placement in the roles pay-range. Let them know you'd be willing to take on the responsibility if it is included in your role description, compensation plan and expectations for work, especially when considering performance reviews. (ie- it should be recognized as an additional duty you take on in your workload and that's taken into consideration if other items extend timelines, or, you can deny requests without feeling that you'll be marked as "not a team player" because you are simply prioritizing other work.)
I hope these are some helpful ideas for your to frame something that makes you happier/more comfortable. Take from it whatever you may and run with it (or not!). I know it can be frustrating when co-workers don't recognize how much they are asking of you and leaders don't see the extra effort you're contributing, but you deserve to see this as a positive thing that you bring to the table and advocate for yourself in a way that feels good.
Buena suerte!
Share your insight
Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.
9 Comments
Join the conversation